Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 26
Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
पश्य भद्ठे यथा भावाश्षित्रा दृष्टा: सुदुर्लभा: । प्रसादाद् भगुमुख्यस्य किमन्यत्र तपोबलात्
paśya bhadre yathā bhāvāś citrā dṛṣṭāḥ sudurlabhāḥ | prasādād bhṛgumukhyasya kim anyatra tapobalāt ||
हे भद्रे! देखो, कितने विचित्र और अत्यन्त दुर्लभ भाव हमें प्रत्यक्ष दिखे हैं। यह भृगुकुल-श्रेष्ठ की प्रसन्नता से ही हुआ है—तपोबल के सिवा और किससे?
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Extraordinary spiritual experiences are not random; they are attributed to the combined force of tapas (disciplined austerity) and the prasāda (grace) of a realized sage. The verse highlights that rare attainments arise from inner discipline supported by higher blessing.
Bhīṣma addresses a woman respectfully (“bhadre”) and points to some marvelous, rare phenomena that have been witnessed. He explains their cause as the favor of an eminent Bhṛgu-sage, implying that such events are possible only through ascetic power and spiritual merit.